CCTV for Warehouses in Manchester: SSAIB-Approved Systems & Camera Layouts

Greater Manchester has seen business robberies rise in recent years. Reports show a clear increase across commercial sites between 2020 and 2025. If you run a warehouse in Trafford Park, Salford or Oldham, you already feel it. Theft is not a theory. It hits your profit and loss.

Let’s be real. One serious stock loss can wipe out the cost of a proper CCTV system overnight. Insurers in 2026 are strict. If your system does not meet their rules, your claim can fail.

At iSecurity Solutions, we design commercial CCTV systems that are SSAIB certified and Insurance Approved. They are built for real warehouses, not sales brochures. We give clear pricing, proper layouts and straight answers.

Why CCTV For Warehouses In Manchester Is A 2026 Priority

Here’s what’s actually happening. Commercial burglary across Greater Manchester remains a serious issue. According to Office for National Statistics data, property crime continues to affect UK businesses.

Warehouses are easy targets. High value goods. Motorway access. Fewer staff at night. Come on. Criminals plan this.

Insurers respond by tightening rules. Many now demand Insurance Approved systems installed by an SSAIB certified company. Without that, your premium rises or your claim becomes stressful and slow.

If you store bonded goods or HMRC controlled stock, recorded coverage and secure storage are often required. Cheap online cameras will not meet that standard.

Warehouse CCTV Manchester Camera Layouts By Building Size

Cut the nonsense. There is no universal layout. A 5,000 square foot unit in Stockport does not need the same system as a 60,000 square foot hub in Trafford Park.

The layout must match the risk, the stock value and the building design. Anything else is guesswork.

Description of Image: A top down warehouse floor plan showing camera positions at entrances, loading bays, perimeter fencing and internal racking aisles.

Small Warehouse 5,000 Sq Ft

Typical system size is six to eight IP cameras.

Main coverage areas:

• Main roller shutter
• Staff entrance
• Loading bay
• Rear fire exit
• Main stock area
• Small yard perimeter

We use 4K dome cameras inside and bullet cameras outside. For insurance sensitive sites, we specify NDAA compliant equipment.

System should include:

• 4K resolution
• 30 day storage
• NVR with backup
• AI line crossing alerts
• Remote mobile access
• ONVIF compatibility

Most small warehouses also link CCTV with a Grade 2 intruder alarm that meets EN 50131. If you want police response, you need SSAIB certification and a Police Response URN. No shortcuts.

Mid Size Warehouse 20,000 Sq Ft

Camera count is usually twelve to sixteen.

This is where many Manchester logistics firms sit. You need layered coverage. Not random cameras fixed to beams.

Typical layout:

• ANPR at the gate
• Dual loading bays
• Perimeter fence coverage
• Racking aisle views
• Goods in and goods out
• Staff entrance

An ANPR camera records every vehicle registration. That helps with theft cases and false delivery claims. It also works well with access control systems for barrier entry.

Corridor mode cameras down racking aisles give a taller image view. You see more shelves and less ceiling.

AI tools such as line crossing and loitering alerts are useful when set up properly. They send alerts for out of hours movement. That is proactive security.

Large Distribution Centre 50,000 Plus Sq Ft

Camera count starts at twenty four and often goes higher.

This is serious infrastructure.

• Thermal perimeter cameras
• PTZ tracking cameras
• Multiple ANPR lanes
• High value cage coverage
• Dock leveller views
• Control room display wall

Thermal cameras detect body heat beyond fence lines, even in darkness. When linked to monitoring, they allow early response.

At this level, CCTV links to perimeter detection systems, access control and fire alarms built to BS 5839 standards where required.

And yes, police escalation still requires SSAIB certification and a valid Police Response URN. The rule does not change just because the building is bigger.

Must Have CCTV Specs For Warehouses In 2026

If someone is still selling 1080p as premium, walk away. This is 2026.

Your warehouse CCTV system should include:

• 4K Ultra HD cameras
• AI event analytics
• NDAA compliant hardware
• ONVIF open protocol
• Minimum 30 day retention
• Local NVR and secure backup

NDAA compliance is important for public sector and some supply chains. Some insurers question certain brands. Avoid the risk and choose compliant equipment from day one.

Retention is where many sites fail. Seven days of storage is useless if missing stock is found weeks later. Thirty days is the practical minimum.

You must also follow GDPR. That means signage, written policy and often a Data Protection Impact Assessment.

Commercial CCTV Cost UK 2026 For Manchester Warehouses

Let’s talk numbers.

These are realistic 2026 supply and install ranges for SSAIB certified, Insurance Approved systems in Manchester.

Small Warehouse 5,000 Sq Ft

• 6 to 8 cameras
• Supply and install £5,000 to £10,000
• Monitoring £1,600 to £2,400 per year
• Maintenance £500 to £1,000 per year

Mid Size Warehouse 20,000 Sq Ft

• 12 to 16 cameras with ANPR
• Supply and install £15,000 to £25,000
• Monitoring £3,000 to £5,000 per year
• Maintenance £1,000 to £2,000 per year

Large Distribution 50,000 Plus Sq Ft

• 24 plus cameras with thermal coverage
• Supply and install £30,000 and above
• Monitoring £10,000 plus per year
• Maintenance £2,000 plus per year

Yes, it is an investment. But compare that to one organised theft of high value stock. The maths is simple.

For a deeper breakdown, read our detailed commercial CCTV cost guide.

Common Warehouse CCTV Mistakes In Manchester

Honestly, some systems we upgrade are painful to review.

• Poor lighting at loading bays
• No ANPR at the gate
• Only seven days of storage
• Cheap unbranded cameras
• No GDPR signage
• No maintenance contract
• No Police Response URN

Bad lighting ruins image quality. A better camera will not fix a dark yard. Improve the lighting.

No ANPR means no clear vehicle record. That weakens insurance claims.

No maintenance means lenses drift and hard drives fail. You only notice when footage is missing.

When did you last test your system at 2 am. Exactly.

Choosing An SSAIB Approved CCTV Installer In Manchester

Look, all installers are not equal.

If you are reviewing warehouse security providers, use this checklist:

• Valid SSAIB certificate number
• Insurance Approved confirmation
• Police Response URN support
• EN 50131 compliance where needed
• GDPR DPIA support
• Local warehouse case studies
• Clear response times in writing

Ask for industrial examples. A warehouse has high ceilings, forklift traffic and steel racking. It needs proper design.

You should receive full documentation at handover. If there is no paperwork, there is no proof.

iSecurity Solutions is a trusted UK provider of commercial and domestic security systems. We protect homes and businesses around the clock. From CCTV and intruder alarms to fire safety, access control and construction site monitoring, our team designs reliable systems tailored to each site. Our solutions use modern, remotely monitored technology and come with responsive service. Whether you manage one warehouse or multiple sites, we deliver the equipment, expertise and peace of mind to keep your assets safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do insurers require SSAIB for warehouse CCTV in Manchester?

In many cases, yes. Insurers often require an SSAIB certified and Insurance Approved system for full cover and for access to a Police Response URN.

How long should warehouse CCTV footage be stored?

Thirty days is the practical minimum. Stock issues are often found weeks later..

Is ANPR worth it for a warehouse gate?

Yes. ANPR records every vehicle registration entering and leaving. That evidence is valuable during theft cases and disputes.

What standard should warehouse intruder alarms meet?

They should comply with EN 50131, usually Grade 2 or Grade 3 depending on risk. Installation should be by an SSAIB certified company for Insurance Approved status and Police Response URN eligibility.

How much does a full warehouse CCTV system cost in 2026?

In Manchester, small sites start around £5,000 to £10,000. Mid-size warehouses range from £15,000 to £25,000. Large distribution centres start at £30,000 and increase based on scale and features.

Author: Leo Higgins